Battery replacement by Fire Dept
 

I had heard that they would replace batteries in Smoke Detectors. Having high ceilings and a too short ladder, I took advantage of their service last fall.

Was told they would replace them if I was home and had the new batteries available. They arrived in a full size fire truck, with 3 firemen. They looked at the locations of the detectors and asked if I had a ladder. I told them that my ladder was too short for me to safely reach the detectors (that is why I asked them to do it). They advised me that their ladder might cause damage to my walls (apparently my guess that they would come out with an 8' step ladder was incorrect). I noticed that one of the firemen was 6" taller than me and would be able to do the replacement with my ladder. And he did.

I am telling this story not as a complaint about the firemen. They were pleasant and helpful. My surprise was/is that the Fire Dept sent a large vehicle and 3 guys to a job which could have been done by 1 guy and an 8' step ladder. With all the assets and investments made in TV, I still find it hard to believe that they lack the simple tools to efficiently provide a very useful service.

Edited 9/18/2015

If TV wants to provide services such as changing batteries and lightbulbs in high ceilings do not use firemen and their trucks/ladders to do it. Staff 2 or 3 people with cheap vehicles and 8 ft ladders to handle these tasks. If necessary, charge users a fee Of $10 (approx). I would gladly pay for such a service.


Got to be lots of others who have had this experience.

Does the Fire Department also replace the smoke detectors? I am curious about this. Thanks.

Having been married to a firefighter, this is how they answer a call: The firefighters on duty take a engine to any calls, and the group on duty goes together. Reason for this is if they get a call (emergency, fire, medical emergency), they are all together and respond to the call. This saves precious seconds, minutes and perhaps a life. If you think about it, it's common sense and maybe you might have been the one on the other end of that emergency!

The fire department does this as a public service. Most fire apparatus do not carry a stepladder, as it is not a type of ladder they would use for their primary job....putting out a house fire.

They do carry ladders that would do the job, but because the ladder would typically touch the wall, I'm sure they must warn folks that it "might" leave a mark on the wall. My guess is that this happened once and the homeowner complained and wanted the whole room painted and paid for by the department.

As a inspector I inspect over 400 new homes in The Villages every year. I see many of these detectors blocked by big entertainment centers, desks, fake trees, etc. It is not always an easy job. I'm sure those guys would rather stay at the station, but they know it is important to help the people they serve...the last thing they want is a citizen breaking a hip or worse up on a ladder.

As to showing up with 3 personnel, they need to keep a minimum amount of staffing on the truck. What if they got a fire call during your battery installation? They need to be able to respond DIRECTLY from your home to save time and possibly lives. If YOUR home was on fire, would you want one guy to take the time to drive back to the station, get his gear, then drive to the fire to meet up with the fire truck, leaving the remaining guys short staffed to pull a line, catch the hydrant, do a search, get the pump in gear, find the seat of the fire and put it out....?

An understaffed truck is worthless. Those fireman are getting paid (and not enough mind you...) whether they are at the station training together, cleaning the truck together, responding to a call, doing much needed driver and street training, or helping you with your smoke alarm batteries.

Fire companies use this type of call to train newer guys to drive the truck, learn the streets, learn where the hydrants are, etc. It is NOT a waste.

Sending one guy in a small vehicle IS a waste and a unsafe practice.

I know this subject well, as I am a retired career firefighter, medic and former New York State EMS instructor for well over 20 years. It was a great career and I sometimes miss it. I know I made a difference, saved some lives, etc. The only bad part of the job was folks telling me I was overpaid, had it made, etc...oh well. I know you were not saying this, and forgive me if I sound a tad defensive. As we get older, the chance of needing these guys increases everyday.....my hat goes off to them.

I hope I did not offend. Just wanted to give another perspective. These guys are one of the many reasons we are so blessed....

Frank (formerly IAFF Local 896)

Joan, you said it better than I did....

What a truly helpful post. Welcome to this forum. Please stay and post often.

I have used this service and really appreciate it along with all the other duties they perform!!

Good response. I'm also married to a Firefighter, retired after 32 years. I'm very proud of him.

Have had the Firemen respond to an emergency, alarms having fits, batteries replaced for myself and neighbors and they couldn't be more kind, caring, professional...I could go on and on, they are the best, but I never thought of questioning how they respond to various situations. I just figured they know what they are doing. Thank you to the posters who explained the need to send a fully manned truck, makes perfect sense to me.

Hats off to all Firefighters out there.

One year we had the firefighters out for a problem we had with one of our smoke detectors. For some reason, I forgot they would arrive with their extremely long truck...;). The crew was very helpful, finally determining we had an un-fixable device, and it had to be replaced. We walked to the front door with the departing crew and saw their truck....lol. We offered our thanks for their help, said a quick goodbye because the phone immediately started ringing. Many calls from our dear friends and neighbors. We still chuckle when we remember that very beautiful, shiny, LONG fire truck. Our thanks to all the firefighters here in TV....and our thanks to all the firefighters who put their lives on the line, every day for the benifit of others.

Amen! That is just one of many reasons we chose to buy here. Those guys have a top-notch rating. A little security blanket for the coming years.

Still, it seems that they could have a better system set up for just this service.
An off duty fire fighter who would like to get a couple hours of overtime for example. Schedule several of these calls once a week.

My understanding is that the costs involved every time a truck goes out is enormous. I'm surprised that I see them picking up lunch. Am I wrong about this? Would paying a few hours overtime once a week be less expensive than sending a truck out every time someone calls?

My kids are firefighters and they do stay together as a crew with their truck for the reasons mentioned. Sometimes, they have to abandon the groceries they are purchasing for their own dinner and respond to a call. Most of our local grocers will push their cart into the walk in cooler until they can return for it. Thanks to every firefighter and paramedic who shows up quickly whenever we call to help us!

I am a snowbird but I would like to give my experience. About a month ago, I heard a loud bang and immediately looked around my house. Went to the front door and smelled smoke, ran out and up the driveway. At that point I could see that a SUV had hit a tree, head on, in front of my neighbors house. I ran down and the neighbors son, home on collage brake, was trying to get the driver out of the SUV which was on fire. I was trying to help but is was not easy with all the smoke ,seat belt on and air bag deployed. The vehicle was full of smoke but we managed to get her out with help of a few others that stopped. All this happened less than 300 yds from a fire station, manned with 2 huge trucks and 2 men. So, where were they??? A week later I read in the paper, the log report. They were out on a call because someone was locked out of their house. Does this make sense? A fire truck to change batteries? Also, what is the financial cost when the schools are a disgrace.

Buying groceries while on duty???? WOW

Which school is in disgrace?

The first time we had our batteries changed by two firemen in a beautiful fire appliance. In March one officer came in a car, this was such a busy time for alarm battery changes and he had been allocated for that day.

As a person that has over 35 years of ems and firefighting before moving to TV this past July, we take the dispatches as they come in. We didn't refuse a call for service because we might get a more serious call. The next closest station was dispatched to cover the call. When you are at the scene of an emergency, it always seems like it takes a very long time for help to arrive.

Does the Villages Fire Department also change the smoke alarms if I provide them?

bump

I didn't read all the posts on this thread and hope this wasn't mentioned previously. I have been in my house for over 10 years and people have said you should replace smoke and co2 detectors after 10 years. I have 3 that I cannot reach. Would the firemen replace the detectors or just change batteries?

John

A neighbor requested the fire department to replace batteries she could not reach. They determined the detectors were past due for replacement. They told her they would wait while she ran to the hardware store and bought replacements. They did not guarantee they would be there when she returned as they were subject to being dispatched in an emergency.

That unit was on call whether sitting at the fire station, having lunch, buying groceries or parked in front of her house.

It is my understanding these crews are on for extended time. During this time they cook their own meals so that would require buying groceries.

Fire departments are not only there to put fires out. They are there to minimize and prevent fires. Replacing batteries/detectors are a very positive part of that process.

Post number 4 is worth reading.

I too tip my hat to our fire department.

Yup. We are all pretty lucky to have a gaggle of Fireboys around.

This is the way fire departments all over the country work. It's obviously been decided that this is the best way to respond to emergencies in the quickest manner. Some cities have a mandatory number of responders that must go out on each call. Sending one man to the grocery store for food (that they need so they can be on call while eating) can render the department under the minimum, making it unable to answer a call.

One google search will bring up the facts you want to know about fire departments.

fire dept info
 

I did several searches, with none providing answers. Can you provide a search to get the FACTS ?

The people that provided responses spoke the truth. I've lived in enough places and spoken with enough city leaders and fire fighters to know that. Accept it or you would be better served by doing your own research.

The firefighters I have known work 24 hr shifts. Of course, they buy groceries while on duty. Therefore they can eat.

Firefighters are know to be darn good cooks. I think they usually take turns cooking for all the crew and enjoy trying to outdo each other. But many times as they are about to sit down to eat they are called out.

These public servants deserve all the respect they can get. They earn it day in and day out.

I'm not thrilled with the tone of some of these posts. But maybe that is because I am a RN and my profession just had a controversial week after the gals on "The View" showed their ignorance regarding what RNs really do. I get the same feeling reading some of these posts regarding firefighters.

Some people have no respect. Pathetic!

I did one search and got my answer on the first try. That plus the answers from firefighter families on this thread are enough for me. Don't believe me if you wish; I don't really expect you to. But I would think you would accept answers from the firemen's families' mouths.

I have lived next to a fire station for 44 years and I certainly respect them. However, they do not buy groceries on duty. All three chain supermarkets delivery groceries. They order online and items are delivered free to anyone. Im sure Publix and WD offers this service, if not arrangements could be made.

According to Nightline, it costs $3500 every time a hook and ladder leaves the station. Couldn't this money be better spent elsewhere? The Wildwood school system is in dyer need.

As myself and some other posters suggested, why not have a service pickup truck doing NON emergency things such as battery changes.

The only emergency I have ever experienced is in my previous post. Two fire trucks, hook and ladders, out for someone that was locked out of a house. Shouldn't a locksmith been called?

If it had not been for neighbors son, who just happened to be at home, a woman would surely have DIED. I couldn't even get the door open and the vehicle was on fire and full of smoke. All happened almost in front of the fire station.

I hope no one has an EMERGENCY, only to find out that they were out changing batteries. That is what is "pathetic ".

Because, as has been stated by firefighters' families, the team must stay together.

There may be reasons you don't know about as to why they must go pick up their groceries. Why don't you call the villages fire department and ask? You can point out how you feel about the $ spent taking the truck out. I'm suggesting that the dollar amount given by Nightline is for actually going to and fighting a fire or responding to an ems emergency.

As has also been stated before, taking trucks out during non emergency times may also double as training or learning the neighborhoods.

So call and ask, and let us know. Or don't let us know, but then you will have a legitimate answer for yourself.